All students who are earning degrees (Associate in Arts, Elementary Teacher Education in Arts, and Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice) in the Associate in Arts Program are invited to participate in both their campus convocation ceremony and the Newark Commencement. The UD Commencement ceremony is being held this year on Saturday, May 26, 2018, at Delaware Stadium in Newark.

All students planning to walk in their campus's convocation ceremony must wear academic regalia (i.e., a cap and gown). As the date nears, students will receive more information via UD email about ordering their regalia. We look forward to celebrating our students' success with them at Convocation and Commencement 2018!

Are you wondering what the difference is between these two ceremonies? Commencement is the larger event held at Delaware Stadium in Newark; this is the only event where all graduating UD students – including AAP students receiving associate's degrees who want to attend – are brought together. This event features the traditional processional of students onto the field at the stadium, remarks by University officials and other speakers, and the conferral of degrees.

Convocation, however, is the smaller ceremony where graduates are individually recognized by their college or department. This is the ceremony at which each graduating student walks across the stage to receive his or her graduation certificate (actual diplomas are mailed to students approximately six weeks after all course work is completed). Convocation ceremonies also include announcements of scholarships, grants, academic awards, and individual student achievements. There are two separate convocation events for AAP grads: the Wilmington Convocation, which is held for students in northern Delaware, and the Southern Delaware Convocation, which is held for Dover and Georgetown students. For more information about your campus convocation or the UD Commencement ceremony, contact your AAP office.